Magpies are highly intelligent and social birds that are part of the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, ravens, and jays. Understanding what animals magpies get along with requires looking at their natural behaviors and interactions with other species.
Magpies Are Highly Territorial
Magpies are highly territorial birds that are aggressive in defending their nesting and feeding areas. A magpie’s territory may range from 2 to 20 acres in size. During breeding season, magpie pairs become even more defensive of their territory and nests. They will swoop down to scare away or attack intruders, including other magpies, predators, and humans.
This territorial behavior means that magpies generally do not get along with other magpies outside of their own mate and offspring. Skirmishes can break out between different magpie families over territorial boundaries and nesting areas.
Magpies May Mob or Attack Potential Predators
Magpies are known to aggressively mob or attack potential predators that enter their territory. They may dive-bomb hawks, eagles, owls, snakes, cats, and other animals they perceive as threats. While mobbing, magpies will loudly call out to alert other magpies and sometimes recruit them to help drive the intruder away.
This mobbing behavior demonstrates that magpies view many predatory birds and mammals as enemies. They do not tolerate or get along with predators that encroach on their territory and put their eggs and young at risk.
Magpies May Form Loose Associations With Other Birds
While highly territorial, magpies have been observed forming loose associations with certain bird species outside of the breeding season. During winter, magpies may loosely mix and feed with flocks of other corvids, including jackdaws, rooks, and treepies.
Magpies may also tolerate the presence of small songbirds within their territory during winter months when food is scarce. This includes finches, sparrows, and tits. However, they remain aggressive towards predatory birds like hawks and crows in all seasons.
Magpies Are Known to Mob Larger Prey
An interesting magpie behavior is their tendency to mob, harass, and even kill larger prey animals that wander into their territories. There are many reported cases of magpies swooping down to peck, dive-bomb, and distract larger prey until the animal becomes exhausted or dies.
Some of the larger prey animals magpies will aggressively mob include rabbits, cats, lambs, fawns, and rodents like rats. While not their normal food source, magpies are opportunistic and will take advantage of weakened or juvenile prey animals when possible.
Magpies May Follow and Associate With Livestock
An unusual association occurs between magpies and domestic livestock like cattle and sheep. Magpies have been observed perching on the backs of livestock and feeding on insects stirred up as the animals graze.
The magpies appear to form a commensal relationship with cattle and sheep, following them and using them indirectly to flush out food sources while avoiding direct contact. The larger livestock seem to tolerate the magpies and don’t act aggressively towards them.
Pets and Magpies
How do pet animals like dogs and cats fare when it comes to dealing with magpies? Magpies are likely to treat dogs and cats as they would other mammalian predators like foxes – with alarm calls, mobbing, and attacks meant to drive them away.
Magpies recognize pets as a threat to their nests and young. They will aggressively swoop and dive bomb at pets, and large dogs may even be mobbed by multiple magpies to drive them away. Cats and smaller dog breeds may be at risk of injury.
The only way for peace to occur is if the pets remain completely outside of the magpies’ territory. However, even then, magpies may still consider pets potential threats and harassment can continue if pets approach the territory boundaries.
Preventing Magpie Attacks on Pets
To reduce aggressive encounters between magpies and pets, the following precautions can be taken:
- Keep pets indoors during magpie breeding season from August to October
- Leash dogs when going outdoors and avoid areas close to magpie nests
- Travel with an open umbrella that can deter swooping magpies
- Place plastic spikes on the roof to prevent magpies from nesting
- Attach dummy hawk decoys to deter magpie presence
- Remove food sources from yards that may attract magpies
Ultimately, magpies are fiercely defensive birds that will protect their territory at all costs. They rarely form bonds with other species beyond temporary associations. Caution is required when pets are present to avoid dangerous encounters leading to injuries.
Key Points on Magpies and Other Animals
- Magpies are highly territorial and aggressive, especially during breeding season.
- They attack and mob potential predators like hawks, snakes, and cats.
- Loose winter associations may form with other corvids and small songbirds.
- Magpies may mob, harass, and even kill rabbits, lambs, and other vulnerable prey.
- They form commensal relationships with livestock like cows and sheep.
- Pets like dogs and cats are seen as threats and aggressively driven away or attacked.
- Precautions should be taken to protect pets from dangerous magpie encounters.
Conclusion
In summary, magpies are adaptable birds but remain highly aggressive and protective of their territory and nests. They rarely tolerate other animals beyond temporary associations that serve their own interests. Caution should be taken around magpies to avoid needless conflicts, especially where pets are concerned. Maintaining a respectful distance from magpie territories and nests is the best approach for harmonious coexistence.
